Gene Miller and the Ink Spots

The Ink Spots were probably the most influential pioneer vocal group, as well as the most commercially successful to come out of the World War II era. Of course there were earlier groups who were very successful such as the Mills Brothers and other groups who performed during the early days of the Ink Spots, such as the Delta Rhythm Boys but the high tenor lead accompanied by the "talking" bass was really introduced by the Ink Spots.

Gene Miller and the Ink Spots were just one of the numerous Ink Spots spin off groups. The tenor (and leader) of this group was Gene Miller. Other members of the group were Nat Williams, Floyd McDaniel, and Paul Parks.

They had two albums on the Gateway label, recorded in the Rite Studios in Cincinnati. Both are titled "For Sentimental Reasons". The first was pressed in 1974. the second, a double album, in 1975.

Gateway
33887/33888

Side One:

Do I Worry
Java Jive
Harbor Lights
We Three
For Sentimental Reasons
Maybe

Side Two:

Into Each Life A Little Rain Must Fall
Until The Real Thing Comes Along
Parkside
My Prayer
I'll Get By

Gateway
35843/35844/35845/35846

Record 1, Side 1: (35843)

If I Didn't Care
Do I Worry
I Cover the Waterfront
Maybe
Whispering Grass
We Three

Record 1, Side 2: (35844)

To Each His Own
My Prayer
Dream
It's Funny to Everyone But Me
In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town
Java Jive

Record 2, Side 1: (35845)

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
I'm Making Believe
Somebody Stole My Gal
I'll Get By
With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming
I'm Confessing That I Love You

Record 2, Side 2: (35846)

Bless You For Being An Angel
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
Until the Real Thing Comes Along
The Gypsy
I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall


Greg Centamore has devoted a very impressing website to the numerous other Ink Spots after the demise of the original group in the late forties.

Greg :

I started collecting R & B vocal groups records (doo wops) in 1962 and before long, I had acquired a nice collection consisting of all the good stuff. The Moonglows, Harptones, Dominoes, Nutmegs and Diablos were just a few of my many favorite groups. One day I was looking thru my parent's records which consisted mostly of pop songs when I found an EP on the Waldorf label by the Ink Spots. When I played this record, I noticed some distinct differences from the songs that I enjoyed, but there was enough there to keep me interested. Their version of the song My Prayer sounded quite different that the Platters version but was beautiful just the same. Not aware that there were numerous Ink Spots groups even then, I was very impressed with this rendition of My Prayer. If you have never heard Lorenzo Conyers version of this classic, you are missing something great. He is the lead singer and the bass was very impressive too. The first opportunity I got, I bought an album by the Ink Spots on the Decca label and was surprised that the songs on the EP were in somewhat different style. The music was good but it had a 1940's flavor and quite honestly at that time in my life, I was disappointed. I realized then that there were different Ink Spot groups. Years later I started picking up assorted LPs by various Ink Spot groups. Sometimes liner notes would be informative and sometimes there were no notes at all. Photos on certain LPs were not indicative of who was singing on the albums. Some of the numerous budget LPs were notorious for this.

Charles Vickers on Neon

Neon 1006
4128 Lorain Ave. Cleveland Ohio
A Parex production

Charles Vickers
33249 – Cry –Cry
33250 – Mr. Jones

Charles Vickers has recorded extensively during at least three decades for Crusader, Carellen, Staff, Tropical, Laresco, National Guild, King, Lord of Lords, Hyperbolic, Pyramid and for Leroy Pritchett's King of Kings label located in Palmdale, California.

His longest association was with Bob Quimby, operator of the Florida-based National Songwriters Guild and his various labels (Carellen and Tropical, notably).





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Voices Of Thunder
Male Chorus Of Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church

Arnold LP 2465
Givhan Rec. Co. (subs. Ke Ke records), Detroit, Michigan
1967

#19499 /19500

Arranged and directed by Herbert Pickard.

Ke Ke records was owned by Stanford Givon.

On the Givhan label, "As little as 3 releases appeared on this early 60s mystery local Detroit label. Every one is RARE and all are fine examples of that vibrant Motor City era." :

• 2465 Leonard Pierce PK4M-3458/9
• 2466 Master Keys PK4M-3460/1
• 2468 Rodger Wade PK4M-3462/3

All three singles pressed in 1963 by the RCA Custom division are numbered 108 (?). In small print, another number seems to form a coherent series. (#246x)

On the Ke Ke label, two singles are known :

• Melvin Davis (1964, RCA pressing)
  
• Juanita Williams

Other gospel albums on the Mighty Voices of Thunder were also released but there is still confusion about the name of the label for some of these (Ke Ke or Arnold).

Pace Records, Nashville Tennessee 1959-61

PACE RECORDS
Nashville, Tennessee
Owner : Sammie Pace (?)
Songs published by : Seminole, Mohawk, Clay-Lick, Natchez (all B.M.I.)
RITE account # 259
All records pressed by RITE except 63858-1/2, 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004.

Pace 63858-1/2 - Lee and Jessie and the Rocky Mountain Boys - I Dreamed Of An Angel / Honky Tonk Sweetheart

Pace 1001 - Evelyn and the Ivorytones - Piano Anna / Boogie Medley

Pace 1002 - Jesse And Lee And The Rocky Mountain Boys - Some Happy Day / Life Ain’t Worth Living

Pace 1003 - Paul and Roy And The Tennessee River Boys - Meet The Lord Half Way / There Will Be No Disappointments

Pace 1004 - Paul and Roy And The Tennessee River Boys - Free, Twenty-One And Ambitious / I Wish You'd Be A Country Girl

Pace 1005 - “Elzie and Doc” With The Lonesome Valley Boys - CP-3069 - I Traded A Smile For A Heartache / Elzie Asbridge With The Lonesome Valley Boys - CP-3070 - Dim Lights

Pace 1006 - The Stubblefield Brothers - Guiding Light / My Friend

Pace 1007 - Willie Lil Rye - Make Believe Girl / ?

Pace 1008 - Billy Wallace - CP-3381 ~ Gotta Keep / CP-3382 ~ Chesnut Locks

Pace 1009 - Dean Davis - CP-3425 ~ Broken Hearted Three (I, Myself & Me) / CP-3426 ~ Don't Be Suprised

Pace 1010 - The Excellos - CP-3949 – Beautiful Dreamer / CP-3950 - Polly-Waddle

Pace 1011 - Dean Davis - Last Time / Place In Life

Pace 1012 - Ish Gordon - CP-4155 ~ Have I Waited Too Long / CP-4156 ~ My Lonely Heart

Pace 1013 -

Pace 1014 - Geo. Lester - CP-4337 ~ You Taught Me A Lesson / CP-4338 ~ Cold Dark Night

Pace 1015 - Ronnie & Calvin - CP-4621 ~ Man Of Galilee / CP-4622 ~ Do You Study Your Bible Every Day

Pace 1016 - Ronnie &and Calvin - Heaven / Then I Met The Master

Pace 1017 - Southernaires - Proven / Rock

Pace 1018 - Gospel Five Singers - CP-5381 ~ This Is My Testimony / CP-5382 ~ Jesus Is With Me All The Way (also on Nashboro)

Pace 1019 - Bonita Cantrell - CP-6557 - I'm So Glad I Love A Living God / CP-6558 - Lord Help Me Every Day

Pace 1020 - Jerry Banes - CP-6739 ~ Won't You Be My Baby / CP-6740 ~ Write Me A Letter





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Six Voices of Zion

Six Voices of Zion
Nu-Tone NU919771/2 - 1977

Bernie Brown Productions
Columbia, S.C.

38623 - I’ll Be There
38624 - I Want Jesus To Help Me Good

Black Gospel

The Six Voices of Zion was organized in 1958 by Jimmy Augusta, and in 1959 Andrew Evans joined the group as manager, and he continues to manage the rich and widely ranging voices today.

The Six Voices of Zion of Columbia, SC started their recording career in 1967 with a 45 that was released on both Pitch and Gusman. In the early seventies they recorded one 45 for HSE, before returning to Pitch/Gusman in 1973. They recorded another four 45s for Pitch, and two albums. One album was released on Gusman, the other one on Pitch.

A picture of the group can be found at the Just Moving On website

Last year (in 2008), the South Carolina House Of Representatives has adopted a Resolution to recognize and honor « the legendary gospel singers known as the Six Voices Of Zion. »

Hal Webb Team : Oh The Mountain Is High!

Hal Webb Team

Oh The Mountain Is High!
29401/29402

When I Gave My Heart To Him
Beyond the Sunset
Peace Be Still
God Never Promised
Medley-A Shelter In the Time of Storm and The Haven of Rest
Just Talk About Jesus
Farther Along
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
I Can Never Tell All He's Done For Me
Medley-There Is Power in the Blood and There is a Fountain
How Long Will It Be.


Basically, The Hal Webb Team is composed of Mr Webb and Mrs Webb. That's the team. You can find some information about the evangelist here or here. DR. Webb has wrote a lot of documents and sermons.

Among his scriptures is a document titled WOMEN IN PANTS :

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth
unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's
garment; for all that do so are abomination unto the
Lord thy God" Deut. 22:5

Hal Webb is NOT suggesting that woman shall not wear something, as I understand. The problem is just about the pants :

The time has come for Christian men to ask the
question, "Who wears the pants in our family?"
Christian girls and women need to learn to dress in
a manner pleasing to God, not according to style.
The pants-wearing woman often puts self and
what style dictates ahead of God and His Word.
Please consider these facts and study the
scriptures. A woman who wears men's clothes.....

• Commits abomination
• Aids the unisex movement
• Blurs sex distinction
• Loses womanly traits
• Injures her testimony
• Causes moral damage
• Shows her rebellion
• Blurs sex distinction
• Lifts self and style above God

Wayne Holcomb

Wayne Holcomb
J-H
514 Terry St. Warner Robins, GA

41183 – Tribute to George Jones (wr steve Jacobs –Wayne Holcomb, Focal Point Music, B.M.I.)
41184 - ?

Found HERE, where you can listen to ten George Jones tribute songs :

George Jones will celebrate his 77th birthday on Friday, Sept. 12. Here are some tribute records to remind us of his awesome talent. [Posted by Listener Greg G. on September 10, 2008]

Produced by Ray Melton.



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Evangelist Bishop Carl Angle

Evangelist Bishop Carl Angle
Backed By The Apostolic Gospel Singers
True Gospel
Canton, Ohio 44702
EP; 33 rpm

24693 – When The Saviour Reached Down His Hand / Tell Me What Kind Of A Man Jesus Is / Fire Fire Fire
24694 - Up On The Mountain / My Mind Is Gone / Done Left This World Behind / The Old Rugged Cross





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Bobby Willard on Frontier

Bobby Willard
vocal with the Chargers
24295- Let It Go
24296 - I Am A Lonesome Fugitive
Label : Frontier

A 1969 pressing from Bobby Willard who had afterwards some singles and at least one album pressed by Mark Custom Recordings located in Clarence, New York.

The picture at the left is taken from the cover of the album Fantasy Island Presents Bobby Willard & the Southernaires, 1980 (Bob Willard, Geri LaBelle and "Tiny" Ted Williams).


Bobby Willard (Mark Custom Recordings) :

MC-5626 .. Bobby Willard & The Chargers : Is It Over / You're Not Mine
MC-5853 -Karen Batt With Bobby Willard & The Southernaires : Funny Face / See That Mountain
MC-5869...Bobby Willard & the Southernaires: "Gentle on My Mind" b/w "Silver Wings"
MC-20016...Bobby Willard & the Southernaires: Fantasy Island Presents LP (1980)


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Brosh EP 1100

23451
Sammy Marshall – Just Like A Jet Plane
Sammy Marshall - You’re My Only Dream

23452
Cara Stewart - Yearning
Tony Rogers - Blue Wing

This EP pressed in 1969 seems to have escaped so far the song-poem records collectors as the ASPMA Brosh discography doesn't mention it.

The label was started en 1961 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Jacob Brosh and had about ten releases in 1961-1962. The label was revived in 1969 and relocated to Chicago, Illinois and then Carpentersville, Illinois.

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Hunter Watts

Hunter Watts
Paradise 113/114
25165 - Old Memory
25166 - Sweet Thing
Rite account # 976

Country bopper

His previous known records are :

Hunter Watts & His Southern Pals
Hammond 103 : Wild Man Rock / Blue, Blue Memory (1959)
Hunter Watts
Paradise 101 : Shotgun Wedding / Paradise Island
Paradise 109/110 : Big Daddy Rock / Fools Can't Win

Wild Man Rock and Big Daddy Rock have been compiled in Europe by Buffalo Bop. The most collectable, and his best record, is the rockabilly song Wild Man Rock.

Gospel Creators

Gospel Creators

Parliament 701

22493 - I know The Lord Will Make A Way
22494 - He Saved My Soul

Chicago black gospel




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Leon Ward and the Wildcats

Leon Ward and the Wildcats

Label : Leon

11751 - I'll Die For You
11752 - No More Broken Hearts

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Ted Mullins - Wonder 102/103

Ted Mullins and His Country Pardners
Wonder 102/103
CP-5447 -Mountain Paradize (bluegrass)
CP-5448 - Boy, Whatta' Girl (bluegrass)

Acct. # 434

Cincinnati, Ohio

Ted Mullins might have owned this label with involvement from Rusty York and Jimmie Skinner. This record was not distributed well and is rarely seen, however the most valuable record on the label is Wonder 100 by the Notations, a white doowop group that did "What A Night For Love" b/w "Chapel Doors." Click Here for label discography.



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Gospel Favorites Of The Haymonds

The Haymonds

Gospel Favorites Of The Haymonds

Kimberly KLP-1005

Recorded on 11-18-1980 at Cherokee studios, Akron, Ohio
Produced by George Gaines

side one :

Light At The River
The First Look
Just Any Day Now
Paradise Valley
I’m Bound For That City

side two :

Come A Little Closer
Oh What A Happy Day
Home Sweet Home
Because He Lives
If We Never Meet Again

Rite # 41585/41586

From the back cover :

In answer to hundreds of requests from people who have enjoyed their singing, the Haymonds have decided to record some of their most requested songs.

They attended the same church in Akron, Ohio. Harriet was singing solos and Hollis was directing the choir. Soon after that, they started singing together, and have been for the last 33 years. They were married in 1947.

They have been associated with Rev. And Mrs. Robert Robison for 32 years and have sung on their WINGS OF FAITH T.V. programs for the past 10 years. Many people have been led to the LORD through their singing.

Despite their age and bad health, they are still singing for the LORD and will continue to do so, until the LORD calls them home.

It is my sincere hope that you will receive as big a blessing from hearing this album, as I did recording it.

It was through their financial help that CHEROKEE STUDIOS got started.
You see, they are very special to me, because they are my parents, and it was through them that I found the LORD.

I hope that you will believe as I do, that to « Make a joyful noise unto the LORD » is good for the soul.

George Gaines

The Singing Daultons - Adco EP 712

The Singing Daultons
Adco 712 EP
Cincinnati, Ohio

15533 - Family Grave Yard / When You Pray
15534 - The Upper Room /Answer On The Way

Rite account # 1585

Country Gospel on a label owned by Hobo Jack Adkins

Adco label discography

The Sons of Zion

the Sons of Zion
Organist, director – H.Hillman
Bass guitar – D. Norman
Drums – W. Williams

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Cincinnati, Ohio

32769 - Come On Let's Pray soloist R.Chenault
32770 - At The Meeting soloist F.Ellis

Black Gospel

Frank Rondell & the Chancellors

Frank Rondell & The Chancellors
L.toR. : Bob Grey, Ross Mallard, Bill Herechuck, Al Vandetti
kneeling is Frank Rondell

Golden Triangle 1003 (early 1964)

713 E.Midland St. Bay City, Michigan

11543 - Tru Gee
11544 - Ain't goin' Home

Both songs are originals written by Frank Rondell.

Frank Rondell (born Frank Anthony Chiarelli) & the Chancellors were from Hamilton, Ontario. They previously recorded for Canatal (covering Carl Perkins "Your True Love" and Ronnie Hawkins "Someone Like You".

Following the Golden Triangle recording, another single was issued the same year on the Indiana Fujimo label.

Later, Frank was a member of The Magic Bubble. The group performed light showtunes alternating psychedelia, recorded for Columbia (1970-71). [His sister Rita was member of this group. She is known today as Rita Chiarelli and she sings the blues. She has even been dubbed "the goddess of Canadian blues"]

More recently, Frank would join Custer's Last Band (one single on Golden Chariot) before going solo to record for the Roto Noto label and in recent years has toured on his own in a "Tribute To Ray Charles" revue. See the video below :

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Watkins Glen - Summer Jam July '73

Various Artists
Watkins Glen - Summer Jam July '73
1974

A pressing commissioned by some young entrepreneurs (they put pics of themselves as well as the bands on the back cover) who attended and recorded The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers at this festival.

The Allmans do "Blue Sky" and "Jessica", The Band do "Raining In My Heart", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and an untitled instrumental, and The Grateful Dead do "Not Fade Away".




Excerpt from "AQUARIUS RISING" by Robert Santelli :

• It was not a history-making event, in a strict musical sense. Unlike Woodstock, where the lineup consisted of close to thirty acts, Watkins Glen's billing was comprised of only three supergroups. The Allman Brothers, the Band, and the Grateful Dead were established acts (the latter two were Woodstock veterans); all had been on the touring circuit and in the recording studios for at least three years. The groups' fans, perhaps the most dedicated around in 1973, had most likely seen them perform live at least once or twice prior to Watkins Glen. They had come to expect certain things from the mu­sicians. In short, there was no overly excited rush to the stage generated by their mere presence at Watkins Glen.
• Each of the three groups at Watkins Glen played unusually long sets. The Grateful Dead performed for five hours, the Allman Brothers for four, and the Band for three, including a thirty-minute break due to a thunderstorm. Woodstock had had a continuous change of musical formats and styles. Each time a new act stepped out in front of the massie [massive?] crowd, a revitalization occurred, creating a renewal of faith in the event and in the power of the music. Energy was forced to flow.
• At Watkins Glen a feeling of monotony and tedium constantly challenged the viewers' interest in the music and the proceed­ings onstage. Long, winding solos were frequent. The heat, the lack of comfort, and the crowded conditions dulled otherwise stirring moments. Many of the 600,000 could barely see the stage, let alone the musicians. And most important, festivalgoers had only one day to soak up the rock-festival aura. Many in attendance were often too busy doing and seeing other things to bother to listen seriously to the music for extended periods of time.
• Woodstock also had had two sets of lps and a movie to carry on its significance. No such enduring properties came out of Watkins Glen. Although the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band had their own sound people record their sets, the Dead would not give their consent to a Watkins Glen album. Their participation was crucial, since they represented over one third of the music and time performed onstage. CBS shot some footage of the event, but the Dead refused to allow it or any other film to be released commercially. Their unyielding posi­tion on the matter stemmed all the way back to Monterey, when the band had refused to participate in D. A. Pennebaker's film of the event, Monterey Pop. The Dead had always demanded full editorial control of their music and live performances. Whenever they were denied such power, they simply declined to be part of the project.

Bob & Jeri Winford

Hymntone 31
Pontiac, Michigan

CP-3197 – Forever Lost
CP-3198- This Man

Bob & Jeri Winford 102

9323 - Until Then
9324 - I Saw A Man



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